Gen Prayuth: Reform to take 1 year before polls begin

BANGKOK, 27 June 2014 – Chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha has reiterated that the goal of national reform will be achieved in one year, after which the country will enter the election process.

On his weekly TV program “Return Happiness to the People”, Gen Prayuth made known that a temporary constitution had already been drafted and was going through reviews by legal experts. Details of the draft will be finalized by the NCPO next week before being presented to His Majesty the King for endorsement. The temporary charter is expected to become officially effective within July.

With the charter in place, Gen Prayuth said the NCPO would initiate its second phase of reform, with an aim to set up a legislative council in one month and appoint a new cabinet within September this year. On the other hand, the establishment of the reform council will require two months so as to allow ample time for careful selection of members from all sectors. The council is likely to be operational in early October.

According to the NCPO Chief, reformation under Phase 2 will continue for 12 months from the day the temporary constitution is adopted. After July 2015, Phase 3 will begin and the permanent constitution will come into use. The NCPO will then spend another three months organizing the general election and the newly-elected Parliament members are estimated to begin their duties by the end of 2015.